URGENT UPDATE: A Cuban immigrant, Geraldo Lunas Campos, tragically died on January 3, 2026, in an ICE detention facility in El Paso, Texas, during a violent altercation with guards. Witnesses claim he was fatally choked while handcuffed, raising serious concerns about the treatment of detainees in U.S. immigration facilities.
The El Paso County Medical Examiner’s Office has indicated that Lunas Campos’ death is likely to be classified as a homicide due to asphyxia from neck compression. This revelation comes amidst conflicting reports from federal authorities, who initially stated he was attempting suicide when he stopped breathing.
According to a detainee, Santos Jesús Flores, who observed the incident, Lunas Campos was tackled by multiple guards and placed in a chokehold until he lost consciousness. “The last thing he said was that he couldn’t breathe,” Flores recounted, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has since amended its account, asserting that Lunas Campos “violently resisted” staff while attempting to take his own life. This discrepancy has intensified scrutiny over the conditions and practices within America’s immigration detention system, particularly as the government ramps up its enforcement actions.
Camp Montana East, where Lunas Campos died, is a newly constructed facility located on an Army base and is expected to become the largest detention center in the U.S. The facility is operated by Acquisition Logistics LLC, a private contractor with no prior experience in corrections, highlighting concerns over oversight and accountability.
Reports indicate that Lunas Campos had been in ICE custody since September 2025, following his arrest in Rochester, New York. He had a criminal history that included convictions for sexual offenses and drug-related charges, which made him eligible for removal. However, his family describes him as a dedicated father of four.
“I just want justice, and his body here,” said Jeanette Pagan-Lopez, the mother of Lunas Campos’ two youngest children. She is now faced with the emotional burden of arranging his funeral and has struggled to obtain clear information from ICE regarding the circumstances of his death.
Officials at ICE are legally mandated to report detainee fatalities, but the details surrounding Lunas Campos’ death have raised more questions than answers. As investigations unfold, it remains unclear whether the guards involved were government employees or contractors.
The El Paso medical examiner’s office has confirmed an autopsy was performed but has not released a final determination. A ruling of homicide could have significant implications for accountability and potential legal consequences for the guards involved.
Flores, who witnessed the incident, expressed concerns about the treatment of detainees, stating, “In this place, guards abuse people a lot.” He emphasized that security cameras in the unit should have captured the altercation, urging for a thorough investigation.
The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of detainee safety and the practices employed within immigration facilities, where deaths following restraint have been documented in the past. This incident underscores the urgent need for reforms and accountability in the handling of vulnerable populations.
As this story develops, further details are expected from officials. The public and advocacy groups are closely monitoring the situation, demanding transparency and justice for Lunas Campos and others like him.
For ongoing updates, stay tuned as we follow this critical story.